February 24, 2026
City We welcomed local legend, Dick Harpootlian, former state senator, lawyer, and author, to our meeting today. Rotarian Tyler Jones led a fireside chat where Dick talked about his career, the Murdaugh case, and his new book “Dig Me a Grave,” about SC’s most notorious serial killer, Pee Wee Gaskins, who Dick prosecuted in the 80’s.
Lots going on in the coming months, including some big fundraisers as the weather turns warmer. Check out the Keyway for upcoming events and schedules.
To join an upcoming Zoom meeting, use this link and the passcode: Rotary.
To see a recording of this week’s meeting, go here
Passcode: *T*9kk9B
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
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- Clara Heinsohn gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Owen Clary welcomed our visiting Rotarians and guests.
- Tyler Jones introduced our speaker, Dick Harpootlian, who joined us to talk about his career, the Murdaugh trial (and possible retrial) and his new book “Dig Me A Grave”
- MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
March 2, 2026 | Issue 5184| President: Karla Combs
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 3/3 – NO MEETING
- 3/10 – Field Trip/Off-Site Meeting to Credit One Stadium (Sign Up)
- 3/12 – March Social, Dunleavy’s Pub
- 3/17 – Dean Schwager, CofC Business School
- 3/20-22 – District Conference, North Charleston Marriott
- 3/24 – Dave Echols – Charleston Riverdogs
- 3/31 – TBD
- 4/1 – International Grant Applications due
- 4/3 – NO MEETING
NEWS BRIEFS
NO MEETING THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 3We will NOT meet for lunch this Tuesday, March 3. We hope you’ll sign up to join us the following Tuesday for lunch and tour of Credit One Stadium (information below).
Reminder … Guest RSVP by 5pm on Monday
If you are planning to bring a guest to Rotary, it is important that you let Carroll know no later than Monday at 5pm. There is some preparation that needs to be done for all guests prior to the meeting. Guest fee is $30 paid at the door. First-time prospective members are free and sign in at the Membership Table.
Offsite Lunch Meeting – Credit One Stadium
In lieu of our regular lunch meeting on Tuesday, March 10, we will be gathering at Credit One Stadium for lunch and a tour of the venue. Due to limited space, please register at the link below by March 2. This opportunity is currently open to members only. If space remains after March 2, guest registration will open on a first-come, first-served basis. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-62263310-credit
Rotary Educator and Student of the Month Programs
After a brief recess, we continued our recognition of excellence in education in Charleston with two presentations at our meeting. Our Educator of the Month for December was Cierra Hennix who is a Student Data Specialist. Ms. Hennix is always positive no matter what the situation. She promotes a welcoming atmosphere in the office and is always helpful with a smile on her face! For January we recognized Wesley McColl. Mr. McColl is a Special Education Teacher he goes above and beyond in supporting his scholars daily. He is a team player and helps however he can to support Mitchell. He has a great sense of humor even during difficult situations.
During the break from educator presentations, we continued to recognize scholars at Mitchell. At the December student assembly, we presented the December Student of the Month award to Gregory Jones who is in fourth grade. Gregory has met both his reading and math goals on winter testing. He works hard every day and never gives up. Gregory truly embodies the meaning of a glass-half-full mentality.
At the school assembly in January we recognized Jasiah Pinckney, who is in second grade, as our January Student of the Month. Jasiah was chosen because he always begins every task with the end result in mind. He is respectful and reliable and determined to motivate himself and others. He is well liked by his pears and demonstrates leadership qualities in everything he does.
Finally at the February student assembly we presented Queen Elizabeth Ravenel with the award for February Student of the Month. Queen Elizabeth is in kindergarten, but already is a leader in her class. She is enthusiastic about learning and always asks inquisitive questions. Queen Elizabeth can be counted on to make green choices. She loves to paint, write stories and use her imagination in dramatic play. She is always kind to her friends and her teachers.
March Social – Shamrocks & Service
Join us on Thursday, March 12, from 5:30–7:30 at Dunleavy’s Pub on Sullivan’s Island for our March Social. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-62572615-shamrocks
International Grant Applications Being Accepted
The International Committee headed by Jan Luth is currently accepting applications and proposals for International Service Projects sponsored by members. Deadline for applying is April 1. Please contact Jan Luth at [email protected] for an application.
Zoom Volunteers Needed
We are in need of some additional folks to help out with the Zoom/AV duties at our weekly meetings. As you know, Zoom is a great platform to allow members to participate in meetings even if they can make it IRL (that’s in “in real life” for anyone over the age of 25). And we are a bit shorthanded at the moment It doesn’t require any more skills than what you’ve probably developed using Zoom in other aspects of your working or personal life, and the club provides all the gear need, including a PC. The current Zoom team of Mike, Marion and Mark M will help train you. If you can pitch in about once a month to support this important aspect of our weekly meetings, please contact [email protected] or see me at a meeting.
Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight provides you with the opportunity to share your background, work and hobbies with our membership. It’s a great way for other members to learn more about you. You can be a long-time club member or a new member to participate. Please review the available slots below and sign up to secure your spot. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AA2AA7F5C52-60923410-member
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2026 District Conference – North Charleston: March 20-22 Registration for the 2026 District Conference to be held March 20 – 22, 2026 at the North Charleston Marriott is now open. Inspiring speakers, opportunities for networking, recognition of clubs and individuals making a difference in their communities. Registration fee of $275 until March 10, 2026. Covers Friday lunch kickoff, Friday night Dinner and Dancing, Breakfast buffet Saturday and Sunday morning and Saturday night Dinner with Flag Ceremony. Register on DACdb at https://www.dacdb.com/index.html?EventID=77882590.
Support the College of Charleston LIFE Program
ur Board has elected to fund and match up to $15,000 for a scholarship to a local Charleston student to attend the College of Charleston LIFE program that we learned a lot about during last week’s meeting. If you were unable to attend, I highly encourage you to watch the recording to see the amazing details about the program and the outstanding
Continue to Support Polio and By Becoming a Polio Plus Society Member All Rotarians are encouraged to continue to support Rotary International’s efforts to take action and end Polio for good. You can support our efforts to end Polio by becoming a Polio Plus Society member by donating $100 through this link https://raise.rotary.org/Sandy-Morckel/fundraiser987.
Club Service Team Needs Meeting Day Volunteers
We are always looking for Greeters, Invocation & Pledge presenters, as well as volunteers to introduce our visiting Rotarians & guests at weekly meetings. Please contact Club Service Chairman, Sgt. Cody Callerman at [email protected] if you would like to volunteer at a weekly meeting.
Chess Club Needs Volunteers Be A Mentor is a Charleston-based non-profit that partners caring adults with local youth to build supportive, one-on-one relationships that inspire growth, confidence and brighter futures. Through this program, Rotarian Cody Callerman has started a youth chess club to help students develop critical thinking, patience and a sense of community. Please contact Cody Callerman at [email protected] if you would like to be on our club’s Chess Team!!
“Birthday” Blue Bucket Donations
President Karla plans to announce all monthly member birthdays at the first meeting of every month. Blue Buckets will for the first meeting of the month will be “Birthday” buckets and all donated contributions the first meeting, unless otherwise announced, will go to support BabyBLOOMS, which is a program at the Ronald McDonald House Charleston. This new program offers support and resources designed to strengthen and assist families as they journey from the hospital to home. Through weekly learning and activity sessions, BabyBLOOMS seeks to enhance the parenting experience using evidenced-based practices, while creating an opportunity to enrich bonding, infant care, and development. On the other Tuesdays of the month during July and August, Blue Bucket donations will go to the Kerrville, Texas Rotary to support flood disaster relief in their area.
Be “Spotlighted” at a Meeting
The Rotary Club of Charleston will continue to highlight members twice a month. Members who are interested in being spotlighted should let Julianne Farnsworth know of your interest and she will assign you a date. Members who want to be spotlighted need to let me know of your interest and I will assign you a date. At the assigned meeting, you will have approximately 2 minutes to tell the Rotary Club membership about yourself. You can use visual aids and/or just talk about yourself. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to “spotlight” you and your personal and professional achievements. Contact Julianne Farnsworth at [email protected] if interested or for more information.
Rotarians Against Human Trafficking (RAHT)
One of Rotary’s big initiatives this year is to combat human trafficking. It’s a prevalent, but also oftentimes unspoken issue. Past President Alissa Leitzow is the RAHT Ambassador for our club, so please reach out to her for more information on how to get involved. [email protected]
Rotary International 2025/2026 Theme: Unite for Good 
The 2025-26 presidential message, announced at the 2025 Rotary International Assembly in February, will remain Unite for Good, which calls on Rotary members to be a force for unity in a world increasingly divided by politics, geography, and ideology. Through service projects, Rotary brings together people of every background — across races, religions, and professions — in a shared mission to do good in their communities.
Support The CART Fund
It is easy for club members to make individual contributions and support The CART Fund electronically. The CART Fund has new portal www.mycartfund.org, which you can easily access. As a Rotarian and a DACdb user, you automatically have an account already set-up in your name. Your user name and password are the same as it is for the DACdb.
Our Club is on Social Media: New Instagram Account
We now have anew Instagram account! Please follow us on @charlestonrotaryclub. Thanks To Charlie Jablon for setting this up. Continue to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, too. and share posts with their followers too! We also need members to send us picture of anything they do that relates to Rotary – service projects, meetings, events, etc. We would love to keep our accounts full of smiling Rotarians! Photos can be send to Mike Sottak, [email protected], or Rob Byko, [email protected] Charlie Jablon [email protected], and Jason Noble, jnoble @primefinancial.com
MEMBER NEWS
Proposed New Members The following membership candidate has applied and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston: Chris Geel – sponsor: Jerry Kozel; classification: Law/Personal Injury & Family In the event you know Chris, please tell a member of the Board how he will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Riana Brennan
New Rotarian Riana gave us an introduction to herself. A native of Santa Cruz, Calif. and a junior chess champion and accomplished volley ball player (she played at CoC), she grew up in a Rotary family and had the ideals of service embedded in her early on. After college, she started a home care business and later sold it to a company where she still works, providing premium home based medical care . She enjoys outdoor activities, travel and contributing to community service, particularly through Rotary that has been a common thread in her life.
Birthdays
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- 3/3 – Mike Seekings, Justin Ross
- 3/8 – Brooke Manheimer
- 3/10 – Ruthie Ravenel, Joseph Tecklenburg
- 3/14 – Eddie Phipps
- 3/16 – Alan Burgreen
WELLNESS TIP
Nutrition and National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, making it an ideal time to prioritize balanced eating. Focus on whole foods, colorful fruits and vegetables and heart-healthy options like salmon, mackerel, and nuts. Reduced added sugar and salt and keep healthy snacks like pre-chopped vegetables and fresh fruits readily available. Seasonal produce such as asparagus, strawberries, and artichokes can inspire new, nutritious meals. Eating on a budget is possible by planning meals, comparing labels, and choosing nutrient-dense foods. OTHER AREA MEETINGS
Mondays
Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
North Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC
Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
Goose Creek: 12:45 m. Tuesday, Gilligan’s, 219 St. James Ave., Goose Creek
Cainhoy: 6PM, on the first and third Tuesday of the month, King’s Cross Church, of Clement Ferry Road. https://www.cainhoyrotary.com
Wednesdays
Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mt Pleasant Presbyterian 302 Hibben St
Summerville: 1pm-2pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday. Hilton Garden Inn-Homewood Suite/Lowcountry Conference Center, 406 Sigma Drive
Thursdays
North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Marriott Hotel, 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston.
Moncks Corner: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Gilligan’s Restaurant, Moncks Corner
St. Andrews (West Ashley): 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Bessinger’s BBQ, 1602 Savannah Highway, Charleston.
Fridays
Charleston Breakfast: 7:30AM Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Rotary club actively uses social media — and we encourage you to interact with us through social media.
We’re on Facebook. Take a look at our page and be sure to “like us”.
We’re on Twitter. You can follow us @chasrotaryclub.
We’re on Instagram. You can follow us @ChasRotaryClub.
ABOUT THE KEYWAY
The Keyway has been published weekly as a newsletter for the Rotary Club of Charleston for more than 90 years.
President: Karla Combs
Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]